TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—No injuries were reported though property damage was obvious as fire ripped into 467 Pascack Road, across from a bustling Memorial Field, on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 12.
Small explosions punctuated the blaze and on witnesses’ videos sent fanning their way through the social media landscape. Speculation, proved unfounded, ran that ammunition was blowing up.
The next day, Mayor Peter Calamari lauded town public safety personnel who had rushed to the scene, “for their swift response to yesterday’s fire,” which was declared under control at approximately 5 p.m., about an hour after it was called in.
Calamari said, “I want to personally thank them for the service they provided to our residents and the citizens of our surrounding communities.”
He said township fire director Bill Bilias reported the fire “most likely was ignited by paint or stain cans stored outside, basically cooking all summer in the heat and sun, which finally ignited sparking a fire on the grass which quickly spread to the involved home and two vehicles in the driveway.”
Calamari said “The house sustained heavy fire damage to the exterior wall and the house next door suffered minimal exterior damage.”
The Township of Washington Fire Department, led by chief Jason Gugger, was aided in the fight by Westwood (with its ladder truck) and Hillsdale (with its engine truck) for additional manpower, the mayor said.
He said “Also on scene for support was Emerson’s fire chief. Woodcliff Lake was dispatched for a fast team. In addition, the county coordinator called Ho-Ho-Kus for an engine truck and Saddle River for a ladder truck to stand by at our headquarters for town coverage if needed.”
Calamari said the township and Hillsdale dispatched ambulance services just to be safe.
“A quick response and attack on the fire kept the main damage to the exterior of the home and helped extinguish the large blaze within an hour or so. A job well done by all, and thankfully no injuries were reported,” his honor said.
He posted, “As a reminder, please dispose of such hazardous materials properly. Visit our DPW webpage for information on how to do so,” and gave the link: twpofwashington.us.
Calamari singled out the township’s volunteer fire department — which is training on its long-awaited Tower 41, housed not far from the houses that caught fire — as well as the Township of Washington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Washington Township Police Department, the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department, Woodcliff Lake Fire Department, Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service, Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department, Saddle River Fire Department, and Emerson Volunteer Fire Department Co. 1.
Residents posted reactions: “Thankful for these brave men and women!” “Thank you for your service!” Great job all!”
For its part, Westwood’s volunteer fire department posted on its page, “On Friday afternoon the fire department was dispatched [under] mutual aid to Washington Township for a working house fire. Truck 1 was the first due truck company, due to Township still being trained on their new ladder truck. Truck 1 took the front of the structure and went right to work with two crews.”
The department said, “While the first crew went up to the second floor to start opening up the ceiling, the second crew laddered the building for multiple escape routes in case of an emergency.”
It added, “The interior crews made a good stop in the attic so the fire could not spread further into the house. Also on scene was Engine 1 and Utility 1 with manpower.”
Westwood added, “Good job by all crews and good job to Township of Washington Fire Department with a quick knock on the main body of fire.”
On Aug. 7, the WTFD — which is awaiting finishing touches on its shared headquarters with the WTVAC, at 656 Washington Ave. — posted that over the weekend a representative from Pierce Manufacturing arrived “to give our members training on our new Tower 41.
“The first day consisted of a PowerPoint presentation specifically designed for our truck, and the second day was hands-on training. In the coming weeks, we will begin more tactical training to learn all the capabilities of our new truck.”
Referring to Tower 41, and sharing a photo of the gorgeous red rig, the WTFD posted on July 27, “We are excited to welcome the new queen!” It added that a fall open house would provide tours of the new EMS building and trucks.
The building was initially scheduled for a January 2022 opening but was delayed by supply-chain holdups, officials said.